MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Commander of the Somali National Army’s Land Forces, Major General Sahal Abdullahi Omar, warmly received the Deputy Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Lieutenant General Sam Okiding, at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport on an official visit to Somalia.
The visit marks a renewed push to enhance military cooperation and operational coordination between Somalia and Uganda, as part of broader regional efforts to stabilize the country and combat the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab.
Lt. Gen. Okiding is expected to play a key role in the acceleration of joint operations against Al-Shabaab, which continues to pose a serious threat to Somalia’s peace and stability.
Senior Somali military officials attended the welcoming ceremony, underscoring the significance of the strong bilateral defence partnership and Uganda’s prominent contribution to Somalia’s security sector.
Uganda was the first country to deploy troops to Somalia under the African Union mission in 2007. It now plays a leading role in the third phase of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which commenced in January 2025 despite facing financial constraints.
